president obama and mitt romney took time off the campaign trail today as they propose for their first debate. the president gradually pulling ahead in the polls, most analysts believe it will be a crucial night for president obama. chris christie says he expects romney to deliver. >> i think what we need is a big and bold performance on wednesday night and that's what he's going to give us. >> this is the ballgame for mitt romney right any because if he doesn't do well at the debate it will be very hard for him to get back in it. >> meanwhile president obama is reportedly hold up in this nevada resort preparing to confront romney. >> what the president will have to do early on is to jump start this the way you would do a jump ball and make sure that mitt romney never gets the ball back. >> if the election were held today, an associated press poll shows mr. obama well within reach of the 270 electoral votes needed for a win with ohio and iowa now among the states he would carry. romney would need to quickly gain the upper hand in nearly all of the nine states where he and the president